Shopping RANT...plus a question...

[luvmy3]

I would be calling the State Atty General and see what recourse you have. It does not matter that she asked you to enter your information, if she did not state that it was to open a line of credit then there is no way it is legal. I would even consider going to your local media, they love stories like this so they can *expose* this kind of stuff. After speaking to the Atty Gen, I would contact the store manager and corporate office as well.
What they did was criminal and I would not let them get away with it if it had happened to me. Good luck

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Raising heck in customer service isn't going to do anything. Most Macy's stores have gotten rid of their customer service areas.
As someone who works in a department store, and is pressured to push cards on people, I'm appalled by this. I've never heard of anyone going to that length to get someone to open a card.
Take a look at your receipt. Down toward the bottom there should be a "tell us what you think" website. Up at the top is her employee ID number. GO TO THAT WEBSITE. Comments left there ARE read by managers and the scores you provide DO affect the store.
That being said, you also need to contact credit (Macy's credit), and corporate. If her manager had that attitude, I'm afraid that it may be a storewide attitude. Unfortunately stores are judged on the amount of credit accounts they open. Individual stores do REALLY stupid things to get their associates to open accounts. You need to bring this to a level higher than the store.

Hi. I didn't know the other Macy's got rid of the Customer Service department. The one here in NYC still definitely has one.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

The security people in the mall? Or police?

Thanks for helping me!


I didn't realize it was in a mall. My store is free standing, huge, and has its own large security department.

I would still complain at the store to the highest level manager present, the Macy's security manager, and like another poster mentioned the BBB.

They can't go around opening up credit accounts without permission, I don't care if she was going to win a cruise around the world if she opened one more. I would be furious and I promise you I wouldn't have left the store without raising heck and making them cancel the account.

 

[Planogirl]

Is this really something for the BBB? Isn't it possible that the clerk is doing this on her own without the knowledge of management?

 

[chloelovesdisney]

The manager was standing there and should have done something about it right then. Who knows, maybe it's a storewide practice and there are other complaints filed already.

 

[Planogirl]

The manager was standing there and should have done something about it right then. Who knows, maybe it's a storewide practice and there are other complaints filed already.

Ugh, I missed that the manager witnessed this. I would certainly move up to higher management and see how they react.

 

[laurie31]

I agree that what the clerk (and the manger who said it couldn't be cancelled "right now" - hoping you'll forget and never get around to cancelling) did was WRONG but I don't think you're in danger of having your identity stolen, since you entered your SSN in the pad.

And I don't know what they're giving the clerks for getting people to sign up for those cards, but it must be some serious incentive, because I got one too. It wasn't by deceit, though, it was by downright begging. She had been very nice and attentive (and patient!) while my DDs and I were trying on many pairs of shoes, and when I went to check out, she asked me if I could PLEASE help her out for Christmas by signing up for a credit card, that it would really mean a lot to her. I usually have no problem saying no (I do it every time I walk into WalMart! lol) but she had been so nice...and so I did it. Plus she told me how much I'd save on my purchases that day. It was a tidy sum, as I was doing major Christms shopping that day.

I do get really cool emails from Macy's with discounts...but I'm not planning on using the card again.

I would have been VERY angry if they'd tricked me into opening an account, though. I would definitely follow through with reporting them.

 

[CathrynRose]

Nope, I didn't verbally give her my ss#. It was on the pin pad.
She didn't go thru any of the terms and conditons, and just put the pamphlet in my bag because the manager was watching her. Otherwise I probably would not of gotten one.

I'm going in tomorrow.


The security people in the mall? Or police?

Thanks for helping me!

#1 - When I got my Carson's charge, it was all on the pin-pad. So, that makes sense.

#2 - I was ticked off one time, at Macy's, because they wouldn't give me a sample of a perfume i wanted to try, even though she had samples. She said they were only with purchase of said perfume. Which is absurd. Why would you need a sample of a perfume you just bought? Plus.... I didn't like her 'tude. Super snotty.

I'm not one to write letters, or complain. But again, her attitude stunk. So, I emailed via their website and complained about her, and questioned this BS policy this woman told me.

I had a phone call, the next day.

Again, this was Macy's so if I were you, I would speak with corporate somehow. Be it e-mail, or perhaps there is a number on their webpage?

 

[monarchsfan16]

Because as soon as I signed my name the receipt was printed......

I had no idea she was charging me and i had my debit card out ready to swipe.

Did she swipe any of your existing cards at the register? When the ID info is typed in, a credit card has to be swiped too. It's a way of checking credit/prooving identity.
I agree with the previous poster that this is not an identity theft issue. No need to deal with fraud alerts. This is someone trying way too hard to meet her quota (and yes, there are quotas, and other than not being yelled at, there aren't very good perks for meeting getting people to open cards).
Most Macy's stores do have in-house security. I would try to contact the security manager. Don't worry about mall security. The store I work in is in a mall, and quite frankly, mall security is a bunch of rent-a-cops. Store security is usually *somewhat* better. And definitely contact the store manager.

Chloelovesdisney: Apparently some Macy's stores do still have their customer service department. My local ones did away with it a couple years ago. My understanding was this was an across the board change, but I can see how some stores may still have it.

 

[CathrynRose]

Did she swipe any of your existing cards at the register? When the ID info is typed in, a credit card has to be swiped too. It's a way of checking credit/prooving identity.
.

I don't know about Macy's - but I just opened a Carson's charge (probably a month or so, ago) and they did not swipe anything. YMMV.

 

[chell]

Since you entered everything on the keypad you are most likely safe from her stealing your info. They should have their system secure enough so that the employees do not have any access to your personal information.

They are probably pushing the employees to get X number of new credit card accounts. This employee has found that this tactic works for getting people to sign up. That's my guess at what happened. She will probably get a gift or bonus if she gets so many people signed up.

As soon as your first bill comes pay the bill in full and close the account. That shouldn't have too much of an effect on your credit score. But you can have a note put on all 3 credit reports stating that you did not knowingly open this account.

 

[pigletgirl]

Did she swipe any of your existing cards at the register? When the ID info is typed in, a credit card has to be swiped too. It's a way of checking credit/prooving identity.
I agree with the previous poster that this is not an identity theft issue. No need to deal with fraud alerts. This is someone trying way too hard to meet her quota (and yes, there are quotas, and other than not being yelled at, there aren't very good perks for meeting getting people to open cards).
Most Macy's stores do have in-house security. I would try to contact the security manager. Don't worry about mall security. The store I work in is in a mall, and quite frankly, mall security is a bunch of rent-a-cops. Store security is usually *somewhat* better. And definitely contact the store manager.

Chloelovesdisney: Apparently some Macy's stores do still have their customer service department. My local ones did away with it a couple years ago. My understanding was this was an across the board change, but I can see how some stores may still have it.

Now that I think about it, I did, and when I did, thats when the keypad asked me for my social...

Oh, you all are making me feel better about this!

I will be going in tomorrow to straighten things out. I will keep you all posted.

 

[mickaholic4077]

Subbing so I can find out what happened.

 

[Shoshana]

Subbing.

I'm sorry you had this experience.

 

[Art 1]

If you cancel the card it could effect your FICO score.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd be nervous. I just applied for a Gap card to save 30%, and I had to fill out the form with my ss number, give her a major credit card and my drivers license, and at the end of the transaction, she gave me the form back, because my ss number was on it. Call the store.

Edited to add, I just read about the keypad, so you are probably safe. While I was at Gap, someone wanted to use their card, but didn't have it on them, so they had to input their ss number on the keypad.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Then it sounds like you were fully aware of what was happening.

The manager was standing next to her and she said 'oh well, we can't cancel the account right now, but we'll give you the $49 off of your bill'.



Yeah she asked for my drivers license, phone #, address, and then signed the darn card machine

I'm totally kicking myself in the rear right now.....

So should I do the fraud alert anyways????????

My biggest problem is the fact that she lied to me, and i've now buried myself into a giant hole

But she didn't see (i don't think) my ss#....

 

[imabrat]

Then it sounds like you were fully aware of what was happening.

How? By being asked for your license, phone number, and address? They do it to me all the time and not once have I been sent a credit card for the store. How could she be fully aware of them signing her up for a credit card? Like she said, she was led under the guise that the social was for "security purposes", not for a credit card. Your statement isn't logical at all.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

And I don't know what they're giving the clerks for getting people to sign up for those cards, but it must be some serious incentive, because I got one too. It wasn't by deceit, though, it was by downright begging. She had been very nice and attentive (and patient!) while my DDs and I were trying on many pairs of shoes, and when I went to check out, she asked me if I could PLEASE help her out for Christmas by signing up for a credit card, that it would really mean a lot to her. I usually have no problem saying no (I do it every time I walk into WalMart! lol) but she had been so nice...and so I did it. Plus she told me how much I'd save on my purchases that day. It was a tidy sum, as I was doing major Christms shopping that day.

In my store, the incentives we get are pretty small, just a few dollars per card. But we have goals we have to reach every month to actually keep our job! This doesn't apply to me because I just work over Christmas, but full time and part time associates have to open a certain number of credit cards every month - I think the full timers have to open 2 every week. At the end of the quarter when you receive your evaluation, if your card quota isn't met, you could lose your job.

Obviously that doesn't what she did was OK...I'm still amazed that someone would have the nerve to be so sneaky just to open an account!

 

[ZuZugal]

The manager was standing next to her and she said 'oh well, we can't cancel the account right now, but we'll give you the $49 off of your bill'.



Yeah she asked for my d license, phone #, address, and then signed the darn card machine

But she didn't see (i don't think) my ss#....

Then it sounds like you were fully aware of what was happening.

How? By being asked for your license, phone number, and address? They do it to me all the time and not once have I been sent a credit card for the store. How could she be fully aware of them signing her up for a credit card? Like she said, she was led under the guise that the social was for "security purposes", not for a credit card. Your statement isn't logical at all.

Looks to me like Shelly F has the correct answer, and it is very logical.
In her first post the OP says she was asked for her SS # to verify identity...but OP had not even given the clerk a means of payment yet. They might ask to see a driver's license AFTER you have shown your credit/debit card, not before. Then in a later post the OP states "yeah, she asked for my DL# phone # and address". Then she signs the pad without having ever given any type of payment, and a manager is standing right there.

I would never myself give out any sort of info to a sales clerk much less my SS#, DL#, phone # and address. So the OP had no idea what was going on after giving out all of this info and a manager was standing right there?